Coping Mechanisms for A Better Self-Care.

Self-care encompasses a lot of aspects, from physical, mental, health, and even social care. One must be intentional about taking care of themselves as it is something necessary. From the way one looks (appearance) to how an individual lives their life, it is necessary to be intentional and understand that self-care shouldn't be ignored. Many of us especially ladies have sensitive parts of our bodies that we need to find what works for us so as not to ruin our bodies, ranging from the kind of cream we use, the right soap and also being positive about our outlook.

Everyone is different and it is expedient for us to appreciate ourselves more than anyone else would. It is how we accept who we are that we feel confident outside so that we don't feel less of ourselves in front of other people. The way we look matters a lot and so, there are various ways to cope and live a simple, yet comfortable life.

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Taking care of ourselves begins once we have reached that adulthood stage because we don't expect anyone, even our parents to decide for us. Gone are the days when they do that for us, from what we eat, to the clothes we put on, and the path to take, but now, everything has changed. As humans, we move from one stage to another. There was a time when I wished to become an adult when I saw people at that stage doing things by themselves, living freely with no one monitoring them or dictating to them what they should or not do. I wanted that stage so badly that I forgot to appreciate and enjoy my childhood stage where I do not need to worry about anything, except to sleep, eat, play and continue the cycle.

I got what I desired and began to wish I could remain in that childhood stage forever but as the world keeps moving, humans keep growing and we cannot escape that reality. Adulthood comes with a lot of decisions to take especially having control over yourself, taking up responsibilities and knowing that whatever you do, no one will be there. I told someone that even if you decide to seek advice from people, you will still be left alone to pick your choice and whatever you choose, be ready for the repercussions. It is not easy but with one learning from experiences and embracing life's tips to living a good life, one would find the road easier to follow through.

At this stage of life, it is important to practice self-care. We don't want to remain depressed for the rest of our lives and find ourselves locked up in the dilemma of life, it is why prioritising oneself is necessary to lead a healthy life. Before I continue, I want you to take this seriously: never get too worried over things you cannot control. Be mindful of your health and let life take its course. It doesn't make sense to whack yourself up over issues that do not necessarily need you to over-worry yourself with because, in the end, you would only ask yourself, "Why worry about this before?"

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Let's talk a little bit about physical self-care:

I love taking care of myself and would avoid anything that could disfigure my skin and it is why I stopped changing soaps and creams but kept to a particular one that won't harm me. I was at that point of wanting a fairer skin and not appreciating who I am, jumping from one lotion to another in search of skin-lightening creams. I had to stop when I saw how bad my skin and face were getting worse and started loving who I am.

Ladies in particular are to be conscious of their body and in taking care of themselves as it is important. Taking enough time daily to care for your body is worth it because lack of taking care of it makes one develop body odour, impacts one's quality of life, decreased satisfaction, mental and health issues, etc.

It is not until you have millions of naira before you can take care of yourself. Start from the little you have, go for the ones you can afford, be consistent on it and see a change in your body. Appreciating yourself is necessary to give you that boldness and confidence in public.

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Establishing a daily routine is important. Routines like creating time for activities that rejuvenate you, such as exercise, meditation and engaging in your desired hobbies. Some individuals enjoy their time reading novels and at the same time relaxing their mind and body for a while, getting enough sleep which is a great tip for self-care. When the body lacks sleep or relaxation, it breaks down and makes one spend too much money on medication when they could have taken time to rest to regain their strength back for the next task.

Engaging in self-care requires one to set boundaries. Some people do not know when to say "No" to commitments that could drain their energy and sap their strength. This is why it is necessary to stay away from tasks that give one stress but look out for the ones that bring joy and fulfilment to their lives.

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Eating good food is a must to live a better life and care for yourself. Health is wealth they say, and if an individual does not take time to prepare good meals containing a balanced diet, it could result in sickness which would deprive him or her of enjoying a quality life. Watch out for what you eat and what goes into the body and be mindful of the substance you take too.

Another aspect of self-care is being positive at all times. Avoiding things that could ruin one's mood, reduces anxiety, stress and discomfort by speaking positive things into your life, prophesying good things and rejecting negative thoughts. When you carry yourself with pride and value, people will see you that way.

Never forget to keep your body fit at all times. The way we use our bodies will determine what our future will look like. Imagine someone who has lived a reckless life from their youthful age and now looks worn out when they become old. I was surprised to see my sister's friend who is almost seventy years of age looking so healthy and agile, I couldn't believe it at first because he was so much younger than his age; I took him to be in his 40's because of how fit he is. There are people of his age who cannot even lift themselves again or do something meaningful like going out for a stroll, staying around nature etc and they are locked up indoors because of their inability to walk. Self-care is focusing more on your health than anything else.

Finally, seek the help of a professional counsellor or therapist when you notice you are struggling with your mental health or when you need some coping strategies to keep you fit. Speak out whatever is wrong with you because they say a closed mouth is a closed destiny. It is when you share your problems with someone that you receive solutions to your problems and have a fulfilled life in the end.

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This is my participation for Day 29 of the March Inleo Prompt. You can click the link to participate too.

_{All images were created by me on Bing AI}